Assertives in Semantically Similar Proverbs in Light of Speech Acts Theory: A comparative Study between Arabic and English

Abstract

Abstract

This study is aiming at investigating the issue of semantic meaning of some proverbs in Arabic language and their equivalents in English, then studying them according to the pragmatic approach of speech act theory.

The researcher selects the (Assertives) to be the focus of this study due to the vital role of them in performing several functions such as prediction, information, reporting and recognizing. The study adopts both the analytical and the comparative approaches to explore the literal and metaphorical meaning, reching to the pragmatic meaning which is classified as the real and intended meaning.

The current study reveals that proverbs will not disappear, but are rooted across different cultures, and the evidence for this is that the selected proverbs are still being used specifically in spoken Arabic, and in English digital media. Finally, the author recommends conducting more studies related to Arabic proverbs and their equivalents in English according to the other classifications of speech acts theory, including: directives, commissives, expressives, and declarations.

Keywords: proverbs, Arabic, English, pragmatic, Assertives.